MaNan-Colors Of Destiny

Chapter 20

(A/N: We were a bit busy today, hence couldn't upload sooner. Hope you understand. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. Now enjoy.)

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I go back to the dining.

Manik: "Naman and Nidhi, have your snacks fast. We need to go."

Nidhi: "But where? And one more thing, how can you expect us to blindly trust you? I understand that you are our mother's friend. But aise kaise? I mean, why should we come with you?" Excuse me? Mein sirf tumhari mom ki friend nahi hun... Boyfriend hun. And how are you guys even related to her?

Manik: "Guys, if you want, you speak to her. She told me to pass on the message."

Naman: "Acchha phone do." I dial her number. I give the phone to him. He talks to her and gives the phone to Nidhi. They talk and hand the phone back to me. They see her name in my contacts. "Who is this, jaan? Our Mom?" Cabir purses his lips and giggles. I grab my phone from him and put it inside my pocket.

Manik: "None of your business."
~~POV ends~~

~~Naman's POV~~
What's wrong with Manik? Why does he start behaving so weird whenever I talk about Mom? Does he love her? But then Dad? Dad left us so I don't think unhe koi farak padega. But why do I have this feeling? Whenever I am with Manik, I don't miss Mom. In fact, I have a lot of fun when I am with him. Our tastes match and our dressing style is quite similar. The way we talk is also similar. I get along better with Manik than Aryamann and I think Manik will actually care for Mom a lot more than Aryamann because I can see how much Manik loves her. Aryamann, on the other side, is quite different. I don't know why but we are so different and I really hate him being around Mom all the time. Manik also takes good care of us when Mom is not there. So probably, pairing Mom and Manik is not a bad idea after all. Ho sakta hai ki Manik can be a better dad than our actual one. Let's see. Oh crap! This week we have that performance right? Oh god, I am so dead.
~~POV ends~~

~~Nandini's POV~~
"Ayyappa, ab kya karun? Shall I take the kids with me to Delhi, or send them to U.S. with Aryamann, or leave them to bond with Manik? I don't want to be selfish in this situation. Manik is their dad and he has all the right to spend time with them. But at the same time, if a situation arises where we go back to U.S. again, toh problem ho jaayegi. Ab kya karu, Ayyappa?"

I think over the situation again. Why am I even thinking so much? Navya is here, who can take care of my kids just like her own kids. And Cabir, he is a very good entertainer. No wonder why Kavya loves him so much. Of course, Manik bhi hai na? Their savior. But will he take good care of them? I mean, voh khud ko sambhal nahi pata. Bacchho ko kaise sambhalega? But I am sure, he will make sure my kids are very comfortable because they are related to me. "Nandini, relax. Cabir knows the truth and nothing can happen. Just let the kids be with Manik here; unless they want to come along, it's better for them to stay here."

I hope everything goes fine. I pack my bag and get ready to leave. I have a lot of work to do today and I have to make sure I complete everything today so that tomorrow, I'll have enough time for last-minute changes. I head home.
~~POV ends~~

~~Manik's POV~~
I snap Naman out of his thoughts.

Manik: "Champ, hua kya hai?"

Naman: "Nothing dude. Let's go, chalo. Aur haan, Manik... We have a program this weekend so we need your help to practice. You are good at music right? You guys made many albums also."

Manik: "Yeah. But your Mom told me that she is going to take you to Delhi with her."

Naman: "Nooo... I can't do that. We have a performance this week. Please tell Mom na? Hum nahi aa sakte."

Manik: "Okay, but you talk okay?" He nods and stretches his hand for the phone. He already knows that her contact name is 'Jaan' so I just hand the phone over to him. They have such sharp eyes and presence of mind.

Naman: "Okay. Bye." He cuts the call. "Manik, Mom told us to stay at Cabir's place." Cabir's place? Goddd! These devils will start their romance if they are here. I think Cabir was thinking the same thing because his expressions suddenly change.

Cabir: "Ohohoho... Actually, Manik has a really big mansion and his house is amazing. You guys should rather stay there because this house is quite small." WHAT! Cabir, I am not going there again. I stare at him and he pleads with his eyes. I think over it. Not a bad idea, actually. I mean, if I won't be alone there, I can sleep well.

Manik: "Okay fine. Let's go to your place, pack some stuff and leave?"

Nidhi: "Sure."

Naman: "Okay let's go. Chalo Nidhi. Bye Kavya." They blush.

Kavya: "Bye..." Of course. It's too dangerous for Cabir if these kids stay here. After a really long time, I am going back to the Malhotra Mansion. I call Ramesh and tell him to clean the house before the kids come. I take them to Nandini's place so that the kids could get their things.

At Nandini's place:

Naman: "Manik, we need help for packing." Help? I think I am the wrong person to ask. Because I need help too, not just for packing but for sorting my life out.

Manik: "Umm.. Look... I'm not good at packing either." The kids burst into laughter. What's so funny bro?

Nidhi: "Like seriously? Tumhe packing karna nahi aata? Very bad, very bad." They laugh again and I stand there, admiring them. This is damn strange. This feeling, it's weird. The way I get strangely attracted to them. "Okay chalo, you both help me pick the clothes and all, I will pack. Amma thinks I am responsible, so let me keep that image intact. Chalo, chalo." She pulls me and Naman upstairs.

I open the closet and my mouth falls open. Such a big closet for the kids and Nandini? Looks like she is quite rich now. She is not those 'behenji' types anymore. She is damn hot and sexy now. "Looks don't matter in love. It's the heart that matters." I push all those thoughts away and pick the clothes for Naman and Nidhi. It looks like they like what I've picked for them. I sit on my knees and lay the clothes down, for them to check again. They get really happy and run to me. They both hug me, on either sides and I get this strange attraction. Something I've never felt before. Of course, this familiar scent. I hug them tighter and start crying.
~~POV ends~~

~~Nidhi's POV~~
I hug Manik and I feel something different. I feel strangely connected to him. And I can tell, Naman feels so too. What is this feeling? Ayyappa, please help me. He is somewhat like a dad only. He takes care of us, makes us smile, helps us, plays with us, enjoys with us and he is similar to Naman. He is better than Aryamann also. I hope Aryamann gets replaced with Manik in our lives.
~~POV ends~~
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(Haan, we know, chota vala update hai, par we'll compensate for the upcoming chapters with long Mahabharata parts. Till then, keep smiling, keep showering your love and stay blessed. Love you all. Next update on Monday.)